Halifax Police Chief’s PTSD Among Stories In Book About Public Protectors

Chief of Halifax Regional Police Jean-Michel (J.M.) BlaisThe chief of Halifax Regional Police opens up about his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder in journalist Janice Landry’s new book, The Price We Pay.

Chief J.M. Blais was diagnosed in 2012 but told Landry of his plight during a June 2014 interview that took place shortly after three RCMP officers were killed in Moncton.

“I’m deeply humbled that the chief would feel comfortable enough with me to open up and make this statement,” Landry said in an interview.

Landry’s father was a career firefighter who, decades ago, saved an eight-week-old infant in a horrible house fire in Halifax. Landry’s book includes an interview with a man who came forward to say he accidentally started that fire as a young boy.

“The whole reason I started working in this area was to honour my late father and his peers. I’m trying to spark discussion.”

The emotional fallout of the Moncton killings may have played a role in Blais opening up to her, Landry said.

Blais, who was a Mountie for 25 years before he switched to Halifax Regional Police, spoke to her of more than a dozen officer funerals he’s attended and three challenging trips to Haiti.

Landry hopes her book shines a light on people who face incredible challenges in their professions and elsewhere.